Lesotho Draw National Embarrassment – Oliseh

Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has labelled Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Thursday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo a national embarrassment.

Motlomelo Mkwanazi gave Lesotho, ranked 153rd in the world – 113 places below Nigeria, a shock lead with a thumping header 56th-minute goal from a corner against the run of play.

West Brom centre-back Semi Ajayi powerfully headed in Kelechi Iheanacho’s corner to level scores 11 minutes later but despite the Eagles dominant play, Jose Peseiro’s side could not find a winner in their Group C opener in a rainy Uyo.

The Eagles had dominated the first half but paid for their profligacy as Iheanacho saw a free-kick saved, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi failed to capitalise on a promising cut-back and Ademola Lookman had a low shot across goal turned away just as Jamilu Collins also saw his effort parried out for a corner.

• Also read: Nigeria Held To A 1-1 Draw At Home by Lesotho

Reacting to the draw Oliseh who starred for Nigeria at two World Cup tournaments before his exit from international football in 2002 believed that players from the Nigeria Premier Football League would have beaten the Lesotho team.

“Will this nightmare ever end? Woke up to this shocker this morning. Our home base players should beat Lesotho. They even scored us first! The painful part is, no consequences for these national embarrassments.”

The Eagles will have the chance to bounce back when they take on Zimbabwe in their second match on Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda.